114 – Angela Lese: Drumming for The Dead Deads, Cultivating a Strong Fan Base, From “Regular Job” to Touring Musician

Drummer/Percussionist Sam Wisman is a versatile fixture in Kansas City’s thriving creative music scene. He is a member of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, the Mark Lowrey Trio, Roger Wilder Quartet, Kinnor Philharmonic, Marimba Sol de Chiapas, and the People’s Liberation Big Band. He has performed with the Kansas City Symphony, the Topeka Symphony, New York Voices, Bobby Watson and more. He has worked extensively as a percussionist in musical theater including the Kansas City Repertory Theater, New Theatre Restaurant, Unicorn Theater, Musical Theater Heritage, and the Coterie Theater. Sam has helped premiere works by Harry Connick Jr., Stephen Schwartz, Shirley Jones & Richard Maltby Jr., Henry Krieger & Bill Russell, Samsel/Anderson & Jodi Picoult, and Ahrens & Flaherty. You can also listen to Sam as a DJ for Jazz Afternoon on 90.1 FM KKFI. In this podcast, Sam talks about: How his career of late has become centered around musicals Straddling the classical and jazz departments in college

7 Helmi 20191h 29min

For over 10 years, Dillon Napier has been the drummer for Grammy Nominated artist Margo Price. From performing at the O2 in London and Red Rocks in Colorado, to performing on multiple TV shows including Saturday Night Live, Margo’s success in recent years has afforded Dillon many unique and bucket list opportunities with many more to come. You can hear Dillon on Margo’s 2016 record, Midwest Farmer’s Daughter as well as the recording, All American Made from 2017 that features Willie Nelson on one track. Well before his work with Margo, Dillon was already a familiar face behind the drums in Nashville’s most popular rock clubs, honky tonk bars, and studios. Dillon has been a go-to hired gun on record and on the road for country, rock, and Americana artists such as Chris Knight, Caitlin Rose, Patrick Sweany, Sonia Leigh, and many more. In this episode, Dillon talks about: * Working with Margo Price * The subtle intricacies of traditional country drumming  * The benefits of learning different styles  * Recording at Sun Studio * Feeling the positive influence of JJ Johnson’s drumming * Recognizing the difference between a good drummer and a great drummer Dillon endorses: Sabian Cymbals, Promark sticks, Evans drumheads, Sakae drums

31 Tammi 20191h 27min

Bob Knight was our guest on episode 165 and was so informative and entertaining, we had to go back for more. Bob lives in London where he commands somewhat of a dual career, both as an in-demand drummer and a music agent or “fixer,” matching musicians with bands or artists who need backing. He graduated from the jazz program at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London and has gone on to work with some of the biggest names in pop music including Sting, Cee-Lo Green, Charlotte Church, and Jennifer Hudson. His company, BEK Music, has provided musicians for a huge variety of acts from Andrea Bocelli to Eminem. In this episode, Bob talks about: * Custom-building a new practice/rehearsal studio * Being a session drummer week in, week out vs. casting yourself that way on social media * The results of a few months of intensified practicing * Being more committed, confident, and consistent in his timekeeping, and the positive response it’s gotten * The Yamaha EAD10 * Using social media to shine a light on others, and how social media factors into his hiring decisions * “Not playing” with Sting, the other artists he’s done sideline TV gigs with, and the prep involved with that kind of gig * His most recent TV gig as drummer and M.D. on Celebrity Game Night * Not taking himself seriously while taking what he does seriously * The strategy in turning down certain gigs, even when you’re available * His thoughts on the ”tribute” trend This episode is sponsored by Motion Pro Drum Thrones

24 Tammi 20191h 14min

In this episode we share stories and experiences of five accomplished drummers who maintain standard fitness practices as part of their daily and weekly routines. This roundtable includes Matt Iceman – (David Nail), Dave McAfee – (Toby Keith), Corbin Cagle – (indépendent), Mark Poiesz – (Tyler Farr), and helping to moderate the conversation is fitness expert and life coach Danny Elliott. Danny is a drummer and owner at Heart Body Soul.  In this episode, the roundtable talks about:  * What each of them is doing to stay healthy and their personal journey  * Matt Iceman talks about losing over 110 pounds  * The importance of nutrition in conjunction with exercise  * “You can’t out-exercise a bad diet” – Matt Iceman * Misconceptions about products that claim to be healthy * How your exercise routine changes as you age  * Back pain * Warm up routines and staying hydrated * The power of a healthy mental attitude  * The benefits of a daily meditation practice  * Substance abuse and it’s adverse effects  * Self awareness This episode is sponsored by Motion Pro Drum Thrones

18 Tammi 20191h 32min

To celebrate our 200th episode, we invited four of our favorite past guests – Seth Rausch, Travis McNabb, Hubert Payne, and Harry Miree – to participate in a roundtable discussion. We then did an extended interview with Chris McHugh. The show was recorded and filmed at The Drum Pad in Nashville at Drum Paradise. Seth Rausch is a skillful drummer currently working as the touring drummer for Keith Urban. Other artists he’s worked for include Gary Allan, Joe Nichols, Phil Vassar, and Little Big Town. While he was with Little Big Town, he had the opportunity to record on two of their records and work with producer Jay Joyce. He continues to collaborate and record with some of Nashville’s top writers, musicians, and producers. Travis McNabb is best known as a longtime member of the band Better Than Ezra, and brings his style and integrity to every situation. In mid-2007, He became the full-time touring and recording drummer with Grammy-award winning act Sugarland. He puts his years of recording and engineering experience to use in his own home studio and in recent years he’s been the drummer for country artist, Frankie Ballard. Hubert Payne excelled at football in high school and college and won two State Championships. His athletic skills as well as superb drumming skills continue to inspire. He has worked with many nationally-touring country artists that include Love & Theft, David Nail, Casey James, and since early 2015, Little Big Town. Harry Miree has built a successful YouTube channel where he covers many topics like “The True Life of a Side Musician, Open Handed Techniques, alternatives to playing a Cajon and many other useful videos. He has over 76,000 subscribers and is currently the touring drummer for LoCash. In this podcast, the roundtable panel talks about: * Goals and intentions for 2019 * Physical and psychological challenges * What listening means to them * Memorable mistakes and lessons learned from them Chris McHugh is one of the most sought-after drummers in the Nashville recording scene. His playing can be heard on thousands of recordings dating back to the mid-1980s. He has worked with some of the biggest names in music, including Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Michael Bolton, Blake Shelton, Toby Keith, LeAnn Rimes, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McIntire, Faith Hill, Kenny Rogers, Jars of Clay, Trace Adkins, Jewel, Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Lionel Richie, and countless others. In this podcast, Chris talks about: * How his playing has changed conceptually over the years * What it means for your playing to have character * Being mentored by Larry Londin, and the current state of mentorship in Nashville * The homogenization of the recording industry (Nashville vs. L.A.) *

16 Tammi 20191h 24min

Dusty Simmons was born and raised in Richmond, VA, which he still calls home. He tours and records with The Cris Jacobs Band, and is part of multiple projects in Richmond. Dusty’s dad is a musician and had a garage full of instruments when Dusty was a kid. This is where and when Dusty began learning about music, and he was gigging by his sophomore year in high school. It has been non-stop gigging since then, be it in bands on the road and in the studio, in music stores, or as a drum tech and audio engineer. During his adult life, he has seen an explosion of art and music in Richmond, driven by locally grown creatives, locally owned and operated venues, labels, studios, and the prestigious art school at Virginia Commonwealth University. In this podcast, Dusty talks about * His main gig with the Cris Jacobs Band * His three Richmond-based tribute projects * Secretly practicing on his dad’s gear as a kid * The vibrant music and arts scene in Richmond * His Instagram Live show, “Diggin’ with Dusty” * How he learned to conceptualize drumming and music as a self-taught * The early experience that turned him off from formal music education * Thinking of a groove to a dance * Teching for Lamb of God’s Chris Adler *

20 Joulu 20181h 36min

Rod Morgenstein’s unique, dynamic and musical drumming style has led to Rod’s winning the Best Progressive Rock Drummer award in Modern Drummer Magazine’s Reader’s Poll 5 years in a row (1986-1990) and Best All-Around Drummer (1999), earning him a permanent position in the magazine’s prestigious Honor Roll. Rod was a founding member of the groundbreaking group the Dixie Dregs. Rod is also very well known as a member of the award winning rock group Winger. These two groups have reunited in recent years and continue to tour regularly.   Other projects that Rod has been involved with are The Steve Morse band, The Rudess/Morgenstein Project, the jam band Jazz Is Dead, Platypus, whose two recordings feature John Myung (Dream Theater), Ty Tabor (King’s X) and Derek Sherinian (Planet X) as well as an offshoot of Platypus, The Jelly Jam, a power trio featuring Rod, Ty Tabor and John Myung. In addition to his recording and touring credits, Rod is very active in drum education. He recently retired from the position of Professor of Percussion at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. Also, his highly recognized instructional materials include videos, audio cassettes and books. His most recent offering is Drum Set Warm-Ups, touted as the definitive text for developing and improving all aspects of drum set playing. In this episode, Rod talks about:  * Diversifying your workload * How his teaching position came about at the Berklee College of Music * The early years of the Dixie Dregs  * The unique challenges the Dixie Dregs faced within the music business * The Steve Morse band opening up for Rush in 1985  * The awesome story of what lead to Rod playing on the Burning for Buddy project * His audition for Winger * His audition for Journey in 1986 * Taking chances on stage and the benefits of his book: “Drum Set Warm-Ups” * Developing Berklee online courses https://online.berklee.edu/courses/rock-drums

13 Joulu 20181h 30min

Kevin Leon has been on the Atlanta scene for nearly a decade and recently landed the touring gig with St. Paul & The Broken Bones. Kevin grew up in Birmingham, AL. He studied music at The University of Alabama at Birmingham and got a fast start playing all kinds of gigs on the Birmingham scene. After school, he moved to New York for a year and returned to Birmingham when it became clear he didn’t have the inclination (or the money) to live there long term. He then landed a gig with country artist Niko Moon, which brought him to Atlanta, where he has been active ever since with singer/songwriters, jazz artists, and corporate bands. He is also part owner of Music Lessons Decatur, a local teaching network. In this podcast, Kevin talks about: The somewhat emergency process by which he joined St. Paul His relationships with Chris Fryar and Harry Miree Exploring his non-musical outlet, fishing, on the road Gearing up to be the primary breadwinner when his girlfriend went to grad school Filling your schedule with “work” vs. keeping it open for creative projects Lessons learned when the gig that brought him to Atlanta ended abruptly The experience that made him realize making 2 & 4 feel good required as deep a dive as jazz A snapshot of his hometown, Birmingham Publishing videos (and an eventual album) of his original compositions, and his thoughts on managing his output Kevin Leon endorses Vic Firth sticks

6 Joulu 20181h 45min